Legend defense prevails in Class 5A; The Classical Academy repeats in Class 4A

The Legend defense dominated the Class 5A flag football championship game on Saturday as the Titans defeated Arvada West 7-0 at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood. Two interceptions from Noelle Ho and picks from Tatum Burke and Reagan Steuber made an early touchdown pass from Addyson Law stand up in the championship game. This was the Titans’ first flag football state title after finishing in the Great 8 in the pilot season, the Final 4 in 2024 and runners-up last season.

“We stepped in front of a couple passes,” Legend coach Darren Pitzner said. “None bigger than Reagan at the end.” Having just completed a fourth-and-long to Grace Schillie, Arvada West (17-2) quarterback Emerson Drake dropped back to pass, and Steuber made her move. The interception earned Steuber Most Outstanding Player of the Game honors. “It just clicked,” Steuber said. “I knew where she was going. I work hard on sticking my feet in the ground and coming downhill hard to make the interception.”

Steuber didn’t expect a shutout against an explosive Wildcats’ offense. “I was expecting a few scores, honestly,” Steuber said. “This is the best of the best going against each other for a state title. But I was pleasantly surprised. We have one of the best defenses in the state.” Pitzner knew the Titans had to slow down Arvada West’s talented receiving corps. “It was all about respecting how insanely good Emerson Lake’s arm is,” Pitzner said. “But then also manning them up at the same time. They have shredded their last couple opponents. They looked unstoppable.”

The No. 2-seeded Titans took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Law connected with Smith on a post route. The defensive struggle didn’t surprise Arvada West coach Deven DelReal. Jocelyn Ayriss had an interception for the No. 4-seeded Wildcats. “I knew it would be a dogfight,” DelReal said. “I knew it would be hard to come out here to get a score. But offensively we couldn’t get things going like we had in the past.”

With 6:50 remaining in the third quarter, the Wildcats went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 10-yard line. But the Titans’ defense held, and Drake’s pass sailed out of the end zone. Late in the third quarter, the Wildcats faced third-and-goal from the 29-yard line, but Drake’s deep pass was intercepted by Ho. “We had a lot of self-inflicted wounds, missed opportunities and missed assignments,” DelReal said. “Little things we know we are better at.” Class 4A: The Classical Academy wins second straight title Kelsey Peterson and Reagan Harter combined for five touchdowns to lead The Classical Academy to a 34-18 victory over Vista Ridge, claiming its second consecutive Class 4A Flag Football State Championship on Saturday at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood.